The Celeron NUC is more interesting to me, but it's availability sucks here in the UK. They're also a bit expensive compared to MiniITX.

If only Intel would fix their image quality issues on their HD graphics, it'd be much appreciated. Oddly, the "Intel HD Graphics" in the Clarkdale i3 I have doesn't suffer the awful macro-blocking issues present in the Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge graphics of my other HTPCs.

I think the current NUC is a beta tests for the Haswell NUC. I think they'll become very popular then.

The Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing) is a platform for a tiny desktop computer that measures just over 4″ x 4″ and which features an Intel Core i3 processor. But that’s not good enough for Gigabyte.

The PC maker has taken Intel’s design and tweaked it by adding support for Core i5 or Core i7 chips, among other things.

In order to do that, Gigabyte added a few more vents to the case than Intel’s NUC normally has. But that’s not all the company added: The Gigabyte mini PC also features support for USB 3.0, while Intel’s model tops out at USB 2.0.

There are also HDMI input and output ports, an Ethernet jack and WiFi. (Source)

... and the next-gen NUCs are due to be released sometime during Q2 2013.

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Computer Base.de reports that the Core i5 version is code-named “Horse Canyon,” while the Core i7 model bears the ominous name, “Skull Canyon.”

Both models use 17W processors originally designed for notebooks and ultrabooks, so they’ll use less power than typical desktop PCs (and generate less heat, which is important when your entire computer fits inside a 4.6″ x 4.4″ x 1.6″ case).

The Horse Canyon model has an Intel Core i5-3427U processor while the Skull Canyon version has a Core i7-3537U CPU.

Without windows, yes. If you plan to run linux on your HTPC that's fine. Otherwise, the mac mini makes a lot of sense; it's a similar (IMO superior) form factor and a much faster CPU, but admittedly the $599 version uses a mechanical hard drive rather than a SSD.

As for pricing, I suggest you go and price them both out. Once you include a windows license the NUC cost is nearly identical. You gain a SSD (which doesn't matter for a HTPC) but end up with a much slower CPU (which can, for video decoding that doesn't offload to your GPU).

The NUC needs to be cheaper, and for crying out loud, throw in a power cord.

As for pricing, I suggest you go and price them both out. Once you include a windows license the NUC cost is nearly identical. You gain a SSD (which doesn't matter for a HTPC) but end up with a much slower CPU (which can, for video decoding that doesn't offload to your GPU).

The NUC needs to be cheaper, and for crying out loud, throw in a power cord.

For an HTPC, why would a Windows license be a matter of course? An HTPC doesn't matter for an HTPC? Tell that to my XBMC HTPC that boots in 8 seconds on my Crucial M4. It actually comes up faster than my XBox 360.

So I ordered a Tranquil PC passive case for my NUC 2 weeks ago. Realised it hadn't appeared, so emailed them. Got an email yesterday to say they'd dispatched it, and it was delayed "because we were waiting for them to come in from manufacturing". So, it seems 'In Stock' on their web site means 'We have the aluminium ingot in stock and we'll get around to making your case when we feel like it'.

New fanless NUC case coming from LogicSupply. Sinks the heat from the mSATA and wifi chips to the case. Includes 2x2.5" bays with connectors/cables to make them work. Passive cooled, silent, power efficient home server anyone?

Drool.......... actually a fanless Haswell NUC with a 3.5" bay (so I can cram a 4TB drive in there) would be awesome, but 2x2.5", hell, that would work too, I can always do the local bulk storage via USB 3.0...

Testing a pre-release model of the DC53427HYE for some applications @ work - really great device, unless you require graphics heavy usability. Hoping to have a DC73537SY in-house in the next 2 weeks to test out. Cost wise, our BOM suggests it will be a little more affordable than a Mac Mini.

Considering Intel are shipping these things internationally, it's probably too difficult to ship a power lead depending on country. I'm personally happy to get no power lead, rather than a pointless Euro or US lead. I got a UK to Mickey Mouse lead for 99p.

Considering Intel are shipping these things internationally, it's probably too difficult to ship a power lead depending on country. I'm personally happy to get no power lead, rather than a pointless Euro or US lead. I got a UK to Mickey Mouse lead for 99p.

Not a big deal. Everything is made in China anyway, and if OEMs can sell premade computers to all corners of the globe with the right language preinstalled and the correct language on the packaging, it can't be all that hard to include the right cable.

A different power lead for every country who may or may not buy the NUC kit would be difficult. That means different SKUs, which really is a bother. Lite-On just pump them out, and users (who are already buying RAM, NIC and SSD) buy a $1 power lead. I don't see the issue.

The little device in the box that plays the Intel jingle is far cooler that a shitty power lead.

Inside the NUC Kit D54250WYK you’ll find the Intel NUC Board D54250WYB. This board supports dual-channel DDR3L memory with two slots for 1600/1333 MHz memory modules. Intel says that this NUC will support up to 16GB of SO-DIMM memory, so get those 2x8GB memory kits ready! You also have one PCI Express half-mini card connector and a PCIe full-mini card connector to fulfill your SSD and Wireless card needs. With the release of Haswell CPUs, Intel also released new wireless cards. The Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 is now the flagship WiFi card from Intel and is the way to go if you want 802.11ac support.

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When it comes to the back panel you have an integrated Intel 10/100/1000 Network connection, two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports, mini HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2 (Both supporting 8-channel [7.1] digital audio) and of course the power connector. The Haswell based NUC kits should all use a 65W power brick like the originals. Intel is considering making an Iris Pro version and if that ever comes to market it will need a larger power adapter.

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It looks like the original NUC w/ Thunderbolt support didn’t do too well as none of the new Haswell based versions will have a Thunderbolt option!

I do wish they'd offer a model with an internal power supply. Things are cluttered enough behind my AV equipment as it is without another power brick in the mix. I'd be fine with a case an inch or two wider.